A word to the wise for those of you starting a business in Chicago; keep in mind how small a town this really. Yes, over millions of people live in this city from all kinds of different countries and states. But when you get to down to it this city might as well be small town in Nebraska.  Every time I realize this it almost smacks me in the face. It happened again this weekend. The company I’ve been trying to grow for the last three years had our big annual bash. We had local bands and comedians and dj. Yes, it was a killer party but that’s not what this is about. That even when celebrating a year of hard work you have to be on your toes and watch what you’re saying. Someone there knew somebody else we have worked with and they work with someone else at the party. It sometimes seems like magic to me to watch four people who have never met each other find out they are very closely connected without ever knowing it. And this is why no matter how difficult you found working with someone to be; never bash them in a business situation. The person you are talking to might have the completely opposing view of that person and all you managed to do is making yourself look like a fool. I guess life really does come down to that old axiom if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.

But to me the more interesting aspect is why a city of millions really comes down to a few connected people. It’s actually simple math when you get down to it. Pick your chosen business that you are starting out in. When you are young and fresh out of school there seems to be an endless amount of competitors. Plus the people on top seem to be completely out of your league.  You can’t possibly know everyone when you are the lower rung because there are so many people like you. But they start dropping like flies. Especially in the entertainment business everyone jumps in and then once they find out that to be an overnight success will probably take ten years of hard work. If that doesn’t get people to drop out then life has that annoying knack of getting in the way. It’s about time you settle down, get married, have kids, buy a house and just like people are leaving behind there dream careers to chase reality. That is not a knock on them it’s just the reality of life.

So there you are still at bottom but guess what with so many people dropping out you just moved up a step.  And the people on the second rung are just like you they’ve survived the first couple of years and are starting to get on their feet. And now it’s a lot easier to see the people you are competing with. You can identify them and what they are doing differently than you. And so you become more guarded and the only way to get ahead of them is trying and working with the people the next step above you. So you start getting to know the people above you. See if you can help them and if you would be willing to help you. But guess what so are your competitors. And see this how everyone begins to know everyone. It’s simple science we all have to work together to get ahead or just stay on the bottom. And as much as you might like to trash your competitors all it’s really doing is keeping you from moving up to the next step. Because the same people you are trashing might end up being the people to give you a hand. And that’s the beauty of the Chicago pool we all have know each other and when one of us succeeds we know that just means a new spot for us up the ladder. Keep that in mind.